Skip to main content

Average

#1118 of 1,986 schools in MN

Hinckley-finlayson Secondary

High School · HINCKLEY-FINLAYSON SCHOOL DISTRICT

PO BOX 308, Hinckley, MN 55037

Enrollment

421

Student-Teacher

14:1

Score

6.1

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Hinckley

#2 of 2

public schools

Minnesota high schools

#291 of 628

In district

#3 of 3

HINCKLEY-FINLAYSON SCHOOL DISTRICT

Academic growth

7.5 / 10

Very strong

About Hinckley-finlayson Secondary

Hinckley-Finlayson Secondary is a regular public school located in the remote rural area of Hinckley, Minnesota. Serving students from seventh through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 421 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14:1 with 30 full-time equivalent teachers. Despite its modest academic ranking at #1512 out of 2027 schools in Minnesota (which places it around the 26th percentile), Hinckley-Finlayson Secondary focuses on providing a supportive learning environment for all students.

With only 31% of students proficient or above in ELA and reading, and just 18% reaching proficiency in math, there is room for academic growth and improvement. However, the school's tight-knit community fosters strong relationships between teachers and students. Hinckley-Finlayson Secondary stands out for its commitment to student development within a close-knit rural setting.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Hinckley-finlayson Secondary are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Located in a rural area, Hinckley-finlayson Secondary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.5Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.96 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.4Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15%
Reading/ELA Proficiency34%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)37%
vs. Expected-12.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile15th
College Readiness6.7Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.6Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,598

Hinckley-finlayson Secondary — Students at Hinckley-finlayson Secondary score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

58%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 18.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 31.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
15%
ELA
34%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.5/10.

How Hinckley-finlayson Secondary Compares

See how Hinckley-finlayson Secondary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.1/10
44th percentile in MN
Academic
3.4/10
3.4/10
Growth
7.5/10
Above average
Environment
6.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
58%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers

Location

PO BOX 308, Hinckley, MN 55037

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hinckley-finlayson Secondary may also want to explore other high schools in the area. WILLOW RIVER SECONDARY (rated 6.9/10, 21.6 miles away, in nearby Willow River), which scores slightly higher. Another option is PINE CITY AREA LEARNING CENTER (rated 6.3/10, 14.1 miles away, in nearby Pine City), with a very similar rating. Additionally, PINE CITY SECONDARY (rated 5.9/10, 14.3 miles away, in nearby Pine City), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Hinckley, see our Hinckley schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 21.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Pine County Transition Program Hinckley 0.0 mi
Empower Learning Center Hinckley 0.0 mi
HINCKLEY ELEMENTARY Hinckley 0.3 mi 6.4
FINLAYSON ELEMENTARY Finlayson 13.0 mi 7.9
EAST CENTRAL ELEMENTARY Finlayson 12.4 mi 7.6
EAST CENTRAL SENIOR SECONDARY Finlayson 12.4 mi 5.2
CROSSROADS AREA LEARNING CENTER Finlayson 12.4 mi 5.2
PINE CITY ELEMENTARY Pine City 13.4 mi 6.7
EARLY CHILDHOOD Pine City 13.4 mi
Vision Pine City 13.9 mi
PINE CITY AREA LEARNING CENTER Pine City 14.1 mi 6.3
PINE CITY SECONDARY Pine City 14.3 mi 5.9
WILLOW RIVER ELEMENTARY Willow River 21.6 mi 4.3
WILLOW RIVER SECONDARY Willow River 21.6 mi 6.9
RUSH CITY SECONDARY Rush City 22.6 mi 5.0
C.E. JACOBSON ELEMENTARY Rush City 22.7 mi 4.3
Grantsburg High Grantsburg 21.0 mi 4.8
iForward Grantsburg 21.0 mi 3.2
Grantsburg Elementary Grantsburg 21.1 mi 8.8
Grantsburg Middle Grantsburg 21.1 mi 6.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 55037 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,319

Median Home Value

$206,100

Median Rent

$975/mo

Population

5,077

College Educated

12.9%

Homeownership

78.3%

Avg Commute

28.3 min

Poverty Rate

13.6%

Median Age

45.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Hinckley-finlayson Secondary has a median household income of $61,319. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $206,100, with a median rent of $975/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.6%. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Blue Earth Area Secondary Blue Earth, MN 6.1
Brooklyn Center High School Brooklyn Center, MN 6.1
LUVERNE SENIOR HIGH Luverne, MN 6.1
MINNEOTA SECONDARY Minneota, MN 6.1
NEW YORK MILLS SECONDARY New York Mills, MN 6.1
HAWLEY SECONDARY Hawley, MN 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hinckley-finlayson Secondary

What grades does Hinckley-finlayson Secondary serve?

Hinckley-finlayson Secondary serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Hinckley-finlayson Secondary?

Hinckley-finlayson Secondary has an enrollment of approximately 421 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hinckley-finlayson Secondary?

The student-teacher ratio at Hinckley-finlayson Secondary is 14:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hinckley-finlayson Secondary rank in MN?

Hinckley-finlayson Secondary is ranked #1118 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Hinckley-finlayson Secondary's MySchoolScout rating?

Hinckley-finlayson Secondary has a composite rating of 6.1 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Hinckley-finlayson Secondary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hinckley-finlayson Secondary has 18.0% math proficiency and 31.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Hinckley-finlayson Secondary a charter school?

No, Hinckley-finlayson Secondary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Hinckley-finlayson Secondary a Title I school?

No, Hinckley-finlayson Secondary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hinckley-finlayson Secondary?

58.0% of students at Hinckley-finlayson Secondary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Elevated (1,329/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
421
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
58.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Pine County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

HINCKLEY-FINLAYSON SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
946
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,816
District Rank
#3 of 3

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.